Thursday Traveler: C’est Christine

Every Thursday, A Dangerous Business will be shining the spotlight on a world nomad, travel blogger, armchair adventurer, or just someone really cool in the travel world. This week, the traveler is Christine Amorose of C’est Christine. Christine quit her job in high-tech PR to blog, soak up the sun and parler Français in Nice, France. Her adventure in Nice is over, but her travels are only just beginning: she’s currently galavanting through European capitals with her camera and a big appetite.

1. How do you define the word “traveler,” and why would you consider yourself one?

A traveler is someone who wants to see more than just their backyard. To me, it’s anyone who yearns to see and learn more about the world, its cultures and its people. I consider myself a traveler because I can’t seem to shake the desire to experience everything firsthand — reading a book or seeing a picture just doesn’t cut it for me.

2. What has been your favorite travel experience thus far?

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling of absolute fearlessness and freedom I felt while paragliding above the Bavarian Alps. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and it was the absolute best view of Neuschwanstein Castle as well as the surrounding picturesque mountains and countryside.

3. How about your proudest travel moment?

When I managed to rappel down a 130-foot canyon wall and then cannonball into rushing water while canyoning in Interlaken, Switzerland, I felt pretty bad-ass. I hate getting my face wet and I’m not the most confident swimmer, so I felt really proud of myself for pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. While I don’t know if I need to go canyoning again — after the first jump, I plugged my nose every time! — I’m stoked that I summoned up the courage to drop into that canyon, even if my heart was pounding the entire time.

4. Have you had any travel mishaps or bad experiences? If so, have these influenced how you view the place where they happened? Would you go back?

Not really. I think my only bad experiences come when it’s absolutely pouring rain outside, I have a long way to go, I’m carrying loads of bags and I refuse to splurge on a taxi. I always end up sopping wet, cold and miserable — but at least I saved a few measly Euros!

5. Name one thing you can’t travel without.

My Canon Rebel XSi. I could spend all day wandering around a new city taking photos — it’s the only time I feel even a teeny bit artistic, and I love it.

6. Name one thing you wish you COULD travel without.

Cold weather clothes. If I could only travel in tropical climates, I’d be content. I hate having to find room for boots, jackets and scarve s– that’s what makes my luggage so darn heavy as I drag it through the rain!

7. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling (about yourself, a destination, a culture, travel itself)?

I’m most struck by how similar we all are. No matter where we are in the world, we all fall in love and coo at newborn babies. We all enjoy the experience of a good meal, whether it’s a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris or a taco from a street vendor in Mexico. We all laugh and cry, have good days and bad days. There are good people everywhere and there are bad people everywhere. When you take away the little differences, like language and religion, there’s really not that much to differentiate “us” and “them.”

8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I keep traveling because I haven’t found the place that makes me want to stop traveling and settle down. Paris is charming, but too gray and rainy. Stockholm has amazing equality for women, but it gets so bloody cold in the winter. Munich is incredibly live-able, but it rains too much for my liking. Basically, if I could take any of those capital cities and their cultures and plunk them down in a Mediterranean climate, that would be my perfect city.

9. Name one place you’d like to see or one experience you’d like to have before you die.

I saw an advertisement for South Africa in a French movie theatre a few years ago, and I’ve never been able to shake it. There were so many contrasts — mountains, oceans, cliffs, valleys — that it looked like the most beautiful and interesting place in the world. I’m also dying to see a World Cup game in person — Brazil 2014!!!

10. If there was one thing you wish somebody would have told you before you started traveling, what would it be?

Schedule time to relax. I did my share of trying to see a city in 48 hours, and I’ve since learned that it’s a bit ridiculous. I try to schedule enough time to see the sites, taste the food, experience a bit of the culture — as well as soak up the sun on a bench or read in the park. Quality over quantity is important when it comes to travel, too — now I’d rather see fewer places, but experience them more completely.

Visit Christin’s site: C’est Christine
Follow Christine on Twitter: @camorose
Check out Christine’s photos on Flickr: Camorose

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Are you a travel blogger who has something to say on these topics? Do you know of somebody really interesting in the travel universe that you’d like to see interviewed? Speak up! The Thursday Traveler needs some interview subjects.

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